Sashless window structure



May 1, 1962 R. MIGNEAULT ETAL 3,031,726

. sAsHLEss wINnow STRUCTURE Filed March 30, 1960 .WTORXEY 3,031,726 SASHLESS WENDUW STRUCTURE Romuald Migneault and Fernand W. Migneanlt, both of 332 St. Andre St., Gatineau, Qnebec, Canada Filed Mar. 30, 1966, Ser. No. 18,526 3 Claims. (Cl. 2ti52) This invention relates to sashless window structures.

Sashless windows are now in widespread production and use because of their simple and inexpensive structure and because of their convenient, effective and satisfactory operation. However, it has heretofore been considered that, in order to gain the full advantages of such structures, it is necessary to employ the glass panels thereof in horizontal sliding position. Thus, such a structure results in a radical departure, as compared with conventional double hung windows, in respect of the size and shape of the window opening. As a result, such window openings are usually of rectangular shape, which in itself is a standard condition, but with the major dimension thereof disposed horizontally rather than vertically as is the case in most double hung window installations. This condition imposes a major restriction in the window openings available for reception of sashless windows.

It is an object of this invention to provide a sashless window structure wherein the glass panels thereof are disposed for vertical sliding movement.

A more specific object is to provide a sashless window structure having simple mounting means for the glass panels thereof whereby such panels may be readily and satisfactorily disposed for vertical sliding movement.

Other objects, details and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description with particular reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE l is a front elevation of a window structure in accordance with the invention,

FlGURE 2 is a partial sectional perspective view of the window structure,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional View on line 3-3 of FIG- URE l, and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation of panel locking means.

ln the drawing, l is a frame which may be formed of wood and which has a sill 2, head piece 3, and jambs 4 and 5.

Mounted on the inside face of each jamb 4 and 5 and extending substantially from the sill to the headpiece is a track member 6 which may be formed of any suitable metal or plastic composition and which is preferably of unitary form. Each track member 6 comprises a base strip 7 which is anchored to the jamb by a suitable means such as a pair of ribs 8 extending into grooves 9 in the jamb and having anged edges 1t) fitting into recesses 11 in the walls of the grooves. The upper portion of each base strip 7 is provided With a panel retaining tlange 12 extending along the rear edge thereof. The lower portion of each base strip 7 is also provided with a panel retaining flange 13 which may be a continuation of ange l2 but `which is provided with an inner panel engaging strip 13a which terminates in a shoulder 14 adjacent the midsection of the frame. The lower portion of each base strip 7 is also provided with a panel retaining flange l extending along the front edge thereof and terminating adjacent the midsection of the frame. Flange 15 is also provided with an inner panel engaging strip 15a which terminates with the ilange. The front edge of the upper portion of each base strip is free of obstruction as indicated at 15. lt will thus be apparent that the track members 6 are of channel formation in the lower portions thereof. The inner surface of each base strip 7 is disposed in a normally vertical plane located 3,031,725 Patented May 1, i962 inwardly of the plane of the adjacent forward surface 17 of the frame.

A top panel 18 of plate or like glass is arranged to be seated with its lower edge resting on shoulders 14. In this position, the upper edge of panel 18 is adapted to be received in a groove 19 in the head piece, the side edges thereof in approximate engagement with the inner surfaces of base strips 7, and rear face portions in engagement with retaining flanges 12. It will be: apparent that by exerting a tilting movement on the panel, it may be readily disposed in or removed from such position.

A bottom panel 2t) of plate or like glass is arranged to be slidably mounted in the lower channel portion of the base strips 7 with its upper edge portion 21 overlapping and engaging panel 18, its side edges in approximate engagement with the inner surfaces of base strips 7, and its rear face portions in engagement with retaining ilanges 13.

Means are provided for imparting vertical sliding movement to panel 20 and comprises, as shown, a channel 22 of metal, plastic composition or the like embracing the lower edge portion of the panel and secured thereto as by a layer of adhesive 23. The channel has a forwardly projecting horizontally disposed ilange 24 which may be grasped to impart manually sliding movement to the panel.

Means are provided for locking panel 20 in one of a series of selected open positions. Such means may comprise a pair of panel locks 2S each having a locking bar 26 reciprocally mounted in a recess 27 in channel 22. The end of bar 26 is urged outwardly of recess 27 by means of a spring 28 engaging the bar and having one end seated on a lug 29 in the recess. The bar 26 is slidable against the action of the spring by means of a handle 30 fixed to the bar by means of a pin 31 which extends through a slot 32 in the tiange 24. Each ange 15 has a rectangular notch 33 adjacent the lower end thereof for reception of the end of bar 26 to define the closed and locked position of panel 20. Each ange 1S also has a plurality of spaced notches 34 for reception of the end of bar 26 and defined by a at horizontally disposed bar-engageable edge 35 and a curved edge 36 engageable by a curved end surface 37 of the bar. It will be apparent that each notch 33 and 34 on one flange 15 is in lateral alignment with a notch 33 and 34 on the other flange 15. It will also be apparent that, with the bars 26 disposed in notches 33 to lock the panel in closed position, manual withdrawal of the bars will permit raising of the panel and that the bars will automatically move into the pairs of aligned notches 34 to position the panel in any one of a series of panel opening positions of Varying degree.

Means are provided for resiliently urging panel 2@ into close iitting engagement with strips 13a as well as urging the overlapping portion of panel 2Q into engagement with panel 18. Such means may comprise a pair of housings 35a, each mounted on a jamb 4 or 5 and carrying a bracket 36a having a panel-engaging roller 37a, the bracket and roller being urged towards the panel by a spring 33.

Means for separating the panels 18 and 2t) during opening movement of panel 2@ to facilitate such movement may comprise a pair of protuberances 39 tixed to panel 18 immediately above the edge of panel Ztl in the closed position thereof.

The window structure may be provided with any suitable weatherstripping means. As shown, this means may comprise a collapsible rubber or like resilient strip 4t? anchored in the lower edge of channel 22 and engageable with the sill 2 in the closed position of panel Ztl. Further, strip 13@ may be of resilient character, such as rubber, to constitute a Weatherstripping means.

analyse It will be apparent that both panels ld and 20 are readily removablefrom the tracks and frame for cleaning, replacement, and easy installation purposes. Thus, panel 20 may be slid upwardly until the lower edge thereof clears .the upper ends of strips land i150, when the'panel may be moved forwardly out of the tracks and `frame. Y Thereafter, the panel 1S may oe also 'moved orwardly out of the tracks and frame. Re-installation of theipanels is accomplished in a like simple manner.

We'claim:

l. A' sashless `window comprising a freine having a sill, Ya head piece, and jambs, a pair of unitary plastic composition'tracks separable from said frame and each having `means anchoring itto one of said jamba, each said track comprising a base strip having plane inner and outer parallel side surfaces and longitudinal edge surfaces, said outer side surface being in abutment with one of said -jarnbs, a first flange extending perpendicularly from said inner side surface adjoining one of said edge surfaces and from end to end of said strip, said ange having onek portion of increased thickness extending from said sill, a shoulder terminating said one portion and extending perpendicularly from said inner surface, and a second portion of reduced lthickness extending from said shoulder to said head piece, and a second iiange parallel to said -iirst'ilange and disposed perpendicularly to said inner surface and extending from said sill to a point in opposed relation to a point on said one portion of said rst flange, a top sashless glass panel having a lower edge seatable on said shoulders and an upper edge engageable with said head piece, a bottom eashless glass panel arranged for slidable mounting between said anges ,and having a lower edge seatable on said sill, said panels having overlapping glass-to-glass Contact, and pressure applying means mounted on one of said jambs and engaging said bottom sashless panel in the overlapping area thereof, the entire portion of said inner surface ofsaid base strip lying .opposite said Harige portion of reduced thickness being unobstructed to permit forward Withdrawal thereroni of said panels.

CII

2. A sashless window as defined in claim 1, said anchoring means comprising a pair of spaced parallel ribs on said outer side surface and extending longitudinally thereof and each having iianged edges, said jamb having grooves therein for reception of said ribs.

3. A sashiess window as deiined in claim l, including v means for imparting sliding movement to said bottom panel comprising a channel fixed to the lower edge of said bottom panel, and a liange on said channel in parallel relation to said lower edge, and means for locking said bottoni panel comprising a pair of spring-urged locking bars carried by said channel tlange, and a locking strip xed to each said janib and extending perpendicularly from said sill, each said locking strip having a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches therein for reception of said locking bars, the lowermost of -said notches in each said locking strip adjacent said'sill having a pair of opposed parallel shoulders for locking engagement by said locking bar, each or" the others of said notches having a shoulder perpendicular to said'jambs and engageable by said locking bar to restrain said bottom panel from downward movement and a surface eX- tending angularly upwardly from said lasernentioned shoulder land engageable by said locking bar to withdraw said locking bar and permit upward movement of said bottom panel.

References Qited in the tile of this vpatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 608,601 Henneberg et al. Aug. 9, 1898 1,451,026 Nelson Apr. 10, 1923 2,430,059 lKrantz Nov. 4, 1947 2,453,992 Kleintop Nov. 16, 1048 2,563,511 Beymer Aug. 7, 1951 2,764,235 Renton sept; 25, 1956 2,818,609 Nielsen Ian. 7, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 481,444 Canada Mar. 4, 1952 

